The last tin dredge in Chendrong, along the Batu Gajah-Tanjung Tualang Road, is described as “a heritage icon” of the once world renowned tin mining region of the Kinta Valley. Following a report that the dredge was in danger of flipping over and sinking, Ipoh Echo highlighted it and even carried out an on-line poll to gauge the views of the people, especially those in the Kinta Valley where the tin mining industry had meant a lot to them, on whether to preserve it or not. The result has been an overwhelming “yes” for preserving the tin dredge, although it is clearly understood that it would be a mammoth task and as well as a costly one. It is also agreed by those favouring the preservation that the tin dredge by itself and on its own could not be sustained as a viable project. Other activities need to be developed around it.

Promises to Save the Dredge Comes With Major Financial Implications and Wise Planning

David Palmer

Subsequently, the state government through its state executive councillor in-charge of tourism, Dato’ Hamidah Osman, stated that the tin dredge would be saved. Dato’ Hamidah said there had been discussions of relocating the tin dredge to some other suitable locations. However nothing has been finalised until the full scope and cost of the project has been determined.

The Perak Government’s plan to preserve it as a monument of the tin mining industry and as a unique tourist attraction has been received with approval from various quarters in the state. “Ideally it should be part of a Tin Museum with the dredge being the main attraction and promoted strongly to attract the tourists to enable it to be sustainable,” said David Palmer, a retired mining consultant and the last CEO of Osborne & Chapel, the company that introduced hydraulics to the mining industry and operated mines in Perak and Selangor. “The dredge, as it is, needs to be upgraded and be made safe and sound for tourists to appreciate it. If possible, the dredge should be relocated to a viable and easily accessible location.”

Heritage Buffs Join the fray

The preservation of the dredge had also caught the attention of the local heritage buffs. Chairman of the Perak Heritage Society, Law Siak Hong, said “everything must be done to preserve it. Not only did it help make Kinta Valley world famous, it helped provide the wealth which built our country’s infrastructure and development”. “The dredge was presented by the mining company to the state for the people. That should be the inspiration for its conservation and subsequent re-use” added Law.

Elizabeth Cardosa, executive director of Badan Warisan Malaysia, had similar sentiments. “Tin mining played an integral part in our nation’s economic growth and a tin dredge is part of this legacy,” she commented. She added that the Tanjung Tualang Number 5 Dredge, if repaired, and well managed, would provide an excellent way to share the story and the very important role played by tin mining in the Kinta Valley, and in the development of the nation as a whole.

An on-line debate, started following a commentary written by the director of Ipoh World Ian Anderson on his views that preserving the dredge would be a “drain on resources forever”, resulted in a wealth of ideas to make it a viable tourist attraction by injecting economic activities in the vicinity of the dredge. Among them is the idea to induce various developments, such as allocating a piece of land for the construction of a large petrol station with attached fast-food outlets and shop-houses.

Dredge co-centre of attraction

A reader, engineer Aaron Ong, felt that the dredge could be successfully preserved as a heritage by making it a co-centre of attraction with the existing tourism based industries. He stressed that the dredge by itself and on its own could never be a centre of attraction. “No one would drive miles along empty roads to visit a dredge no matter how nicely dressed up” he said.

Therefore, local folk should be enticed to set up shops for their famous Tanjung Tualang’s freshwater prawns in clean and hygienic surroundings, with lots of open air for alfresco dining and ample parking; and using state machinery and media to promote this as a tourist spot.

“Sure this will take at the fastest a couple of years, so in the meantime some public money will have to be used for maintenance. But after this, the public money will be withdrawn and the owner/maintainer has to think of ways how to make the tourists appreciate the dredge so that the dredge will be self supporting,” Ong said.“I will certainly agree to the use of limited public money for maintenance of the dredge for the first two years, on condition that an economy is developed to boost and upgrade the existing prawn based tourism for the benefit of the local folk. I mean who wouldn’t be happy? For sure these people will be happy.”

Big Spruce Up

First and foremost, he said the dredge would have to be thoroughly repaired to display condition. All the riggings and the winches have to be inspected and made fast so nothing loose could come crashing down on the heads of visitors. Paint up the sides in bright beautiful colours like what they did to the Penang ferries. Next fix it up with beautiful lights inside and outside.

Ong have seen how ships and buildings far older than the dredge have been saved and preserved in Europe for future unborn generations so that their rich history is not lost to time. “To save the dredge, if not too late, the government would have to use public money for limited maintenance. By limited I mean, to arrest and recover the list and to make the hull waterfast. That is a priority. If this is not done, the dredge would list past its centre of gravity and would totally collapse. “How much is needed I have no idea, and it depends on a detailed hull examination by a competent engineer, and may even require the services of a professional diver, welder from a salvage company. If the leak is localised and not too serious, a ballpark figure maybe in the region of 10’s of thousands, perhaps” he said.

Costing Taxpayer

Responding to Ong’s suggestions, Ian Anderson says “It is a good idea and if it could be achieved then that would be great, but, and it is a big BUT, it does need a far-sighted developer to come in with several million to put up, up front. Meanwhile the dredge will still be costing the taxpayer, or someone, however many millions it will take to bring it up to an acceptable tourist level in terms of maintenance, repair and safety.”

The dredge was built in 1938 by the consulting engineering firm of F.W. Payne and Co. It started operations at Teja, Gopeng, and after 44 years ceased operations and moved to its present location in 1982. The company responsible for managing the dredge, Century Mission Sdn Bhd is unable to repair the pontoon due to financial constraints. Meanwhile, with the pontoon rusty and leaking the situation of the tin dredge is getting worse each day. Ipoh Echo hopes that the commitment made by Dato’ Hamidah to save the dredge will materialise in the very near future to preserve the last visible heritage of the tin mining industry that brought the Kinta Valley the fame and glory that it enjoyed in the past.

One week before the big day, Chenderiang, a sleepy hollow 55 km south of Ipoh with the imposing Gunung Kampar and the spectacular Lata Kinjang Falls as its backdrops, was a hive of activity. Council workers and staff of the state Public Works Department were busy clearing and levelling a sparsely wooded shrub land near the entrance to the town. The tempo was fever pitch. Those unfamiliar with the goings-on had wrongly assumed that a big carnival was coming to town. It was only upon checking with the workers that the truth was told. The state-level Chinese New Year open house, normally the preserve of Ipoh Padang, would be held there instead. The barren laterite-filled ground could accommodate some 5,000 people at any one time.

Expensive Party

Flags, buntings and banners were hoisted and hung on poles and lampposts along the trunk road to Chenderiang. At an uninhabited stretch, workers were busy fixing solarlights on custom-made metal lampposts – a novelty for Perakeans. Soon tents and covered stands dotted the open field where the main event would take place. Nothing was left to chance to organise the most expensive party in town. The banners bade welcome to visitors to the CNY open house scheduled for Sunday, February 21 beginning at 6.30 p.m. Dignitaries attending included the Sultan, Raja Muda, their consorts, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir and host, Dato’ Dr. Mah Hang Soon. The intended guests, obviously, were the Chinese population of Chenderiang and their neighbours from the surroundings.

Focus Shift

Chenderiang was once a Communist hotbed. Right through the 70s, troops were still deployed in the hills around the town to secure the high grounds. The British found it expedient to build a new village under the Brigg’s Plan in the 1950s to separate the people from the terrorists. Will the town’s less than savoury past have an impact on the event unfolding? Only time will tell. Why the sudden interest in the Chinese? Since the setbacks suffered by Barisan Nasional in the 2008 General Election, attention has shifted to the Indians and the Chinese. Suddenly, their support becomes nombro ono although Thamby Chik, an Umno Vice President, once told an Indian-based party that its members’ votes meant little since Indians represented only a fraction of the Malaysian voters. Another party stalwart, and a Najib’s aide, had more insidious remarks for both Indians and Chinese. He branded them as pendatang, pengemis and pelacur. The order to woo Indians and Chinese was out. Najib visited Batu Caves during Thaipusam on Sunday, January 30 – the first ever by a serving prime minister. He and wife, Rosmah, attended the much-touted CNY open house in Pandamaran, Selangor, on Saturday, February 20. The mainstream media trumpeted a turn-out of over 20,000 when the open space could barely support 5,000 revellers. Incessant rain almost ruined the programme. The Prime Minister visited three Chinese families but chose to sit on a tastefully carved government-supplied chair rather than the chairs in the houses. Many felt slighted by his insensitivity. Was it deliberate? If so, Najib’s 1Malaysia sloganeering now sounds hollow.

Rained Out

A heavy downpour preceded the Chenderiang CNY open house too. The week-long dry spell in the state culminated with this sudden deluge. It was a welcome relief for Perakeans who were reeling under the scorching tropical sun. Like in Pandamaran, some had hailed it as a rahmat (salvation). I, however, disagree. May be God was angry with the charade and had opened up the sky to show his displeasure. I left my house for Chenderiang at around 6 p.m. on Sunday, hoping to beat the traffic before show time. But the driving rain got into my way. It was raining cats and dogs and visibility was poor. There were a couple of nasty accidents on the Plus Expressway near Gua Tempurung. One heavily smashed MPV laid precariously on the roadside. It had rammed into the iron railings guarding the side of a deep ravine. Like all government sponsored activities (where dignitaries are involved), the event was characterised by a heavy police presence. Cars and buses jammed the road leading into the town. With some clever manoeuvring I reached Chenderiang town unscathed, saved for a creaking wiper blade. A crowd had gathered at the site but most were huddled in the covered stands, shielding themselves from the pouring rain. A lone policeman, in a white reflective raincoat, was directing the traffic in the downpour. He seemed oblivious of things around him.

Gone Fishing

I stopped by a kopitiam, located in a pre-war building along the main street, and ordered a cup of hot white coffee. While waiting for my drink, I asked an elderly Chinese gentleman sitting next to me what he thought of the open house. “Ayaa.. dia olang mau pancing Orang Cina punya undi. Kita olang bukan bodoh.” (They want to fish for Chinese votes. We’re not stupid). Does this sum up the feelings of the people on the ground? I think so.

The Perak Government decision to grant a 99-year-lease to the pomelo orchards in Tambun is a logical move to ensure the survival of the locally grown pomelo, which has become synonymous with Ipoh.

The growers, cultivating the land on Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL), have been facing an uncertain future for years as they had no control over the land and many growers had been forced to vacate their orchards to make way for other projects, including the North-South Expressway. Recently, one of the last patches of orchards was under threat of being taken over for housing development. But, the state government had wisely revoked the order and prevented about 300 growers from being stripped of their orchards.

Zambry’s Good Move

Thus, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir had with the stroke of his pen prevented a successful fruit farming industry in the Kinta Valley from dying and at the same time fulfilling the wishes of the growers who had been lobbying for land of their orchards in the past two decades. He had also corrected a “mistake” made by the state government some years back to allocate the land uniquely suitable for pomelo cultivation to housing development.

Man behind the scenes

The announcement was therefore greeted with cheers from the growers at a gathering in Tambun recently. What more, they are also exempted from back payment of the land premiums. And the man, who had been working behind the scene to achieve this, is the Member of Parliament for Tambun Dato’ Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadziah, who is also the Finance Minister 2. He had been meeting the growers to hear their plights and complaints over the years.

Generations of growers

Pomelo or known commonly as ‘Limau Bali’ has been grown around Tambun and neighbouring Ampang for over two generations. Due to the quality of the fruit it has become well-known throughout the country and abroad. Initially 62 growers with a total of 285 hectares of orchards will benefit from this gesture by the state government and will receive their land titles within three months, while others will get their land titles once the details of those eligible are finalised. The condition imposed on them is that they must use 80 per cent of the land for pomelo orchards.

Mineral rich soil of Tambun

Ipoh pomeloes have always been a perfect “Buah Tangan” (gift) to bring when visiting relatives or friends out of town. It is so because the city has been synonymous with this citrus fruit for generations. Those grown in the iron-ore soil of Tambun and Ampang just outside the city centre are reputed to be the best in the country. The soil of the orchards, which are surrounded by limestone hills, are also rich in minerals such as calcium for the tree to thrive and produce the best of the fruits.

Acreage Decimated by Housing Development

These facts are well known, yet the state government had in the last number of years allocated the land for housing projects. The growers, who had toiled the land for so long, were ordered to move out. As a result, the once striving pomelo growing industry which supported thousands of growers, their workers and families, began to dwindle. And, so the area of pomelo orchards in Tambun and Ampang had reduced from 12,000ha in the 1980s to just over 140ha now. The construction of the north-south highway in 1992 alone resulted in the felling of about 1,600 trees belonging to some 35 growers.

Unfathomable Logic

It is hard to understand the logic behind the move by a previous state government when there is ample land for housing and industrial projects such as former mining land around the city. However land suitable for pomelo cultivation, so rich in minerals, is scarce.

The state government has, instead of protecting a striving pomelo industry that has brought fame to the city, given priority to housing in the area. Is it because the interests of some well-connected housing developers were being given preference over the welfare of pomelo growers? These are the grievances of the pomelo growers.

The orchards in Tambun and Ampang also hold tremendous potential for tourism as every week busloads of foreign tourists visit them. It has also come under the state’s tourism guideline of “one district, one product.”

Reprieve and Relief

Long time grower Mr Chow Sun, 74, who is also the chairman of the Tambun Pomelo Farmers Association, described the move by the state government as “a long wait that finally bore fruit.”

“I’ve been growing pomeloes since my father’s time which is over 80 years ago. For close to 30 years we have been asking for the land and now we have finally been granted our request”, he said.

Ask any Chinese food connoisseur in Ipoh if he knows Tuck Kee and chances are a positive nod of the head. In fact if you drive down Jalan King, off Pasir Pinji you’ll notice a queue beginning to form from around 12 noon onwards outside number 1, where Tuck Kee is located. They’re all lining up to purchase the takeaway roast duck, char siew (roast pork), suckling pig, and roast pork for which Tuck Kee has solidified its reputation as one of Ipoh’s leading Chinese restaurants.

Seducing Traditionalists

In the early days when I first arrived in Ipoh 14 years ago, I used to go to Tuck Kee for their braised Sharks fin Tureen which at that time was a great value at RM45 each. These days as it is politically incorrect to eat or order sharks fin, I have reluctantly eschewed this dish and moved on to other gustatory explorations. And since Ah Tuck has returned to his roots in Ipoh after learning all the tricks of the culinary trade in Kuala Lumpur over a period of 20 years and taken over the kitchen and restaurant from his father; new epicurean delights beckon to me as Ah Tuck applies his wizardry in the kitchen, reinventing the culinary wheel to woo new fans while working on seducing the diehard traditionalists who have patronized his father’s restaurant for years.

Braised beef short ribs

And he is succeeding. Judging by the raucous ambiance, every square foot of both the upstairs and downstairs area was packed like sardines on the two occasions when I dined there recently. And for good reasons too. Tuck Kee today does not print an ala carte menu. Yes there was a menu of sorts for Chinese New Year with various options for tables of 10 but for the rest of time, one can sit down with the serving staff or Ah Tuck himself and discuss what they’d like for their meal, tailored for individual tastes.

Hawker Dishes Upgraded

On his own, Ah Tuck has upgraded two popular local hawker dishes and brought it up to ‘Michelin’ (the yardstick by which the cream of restaurants around the world are rated) status. His ‘Har Meen’ or prawn noodle soup, commonly available at most hawker stalls for a mere RM4.00 is now served in his restaurant for a whopping RM13.00. But what a dish and worth every ringgit we pay! A meal by itself, two very large prawns sit on top of velvety smooth rice noodles complemented with the addition of two bunches of the Japanese crunchy ‘shirataki’ yam noodles, garnished with local chives, the soup base redolent with prawn essence. Totally addictive! Ah Tuck assures me that his soup base is pure stock, made without the slightest smidgeon of MSG, that scourge of Chinese food and often the reason why I seldom eat this dish at hawker stalls.

As if any other noodle dish could get better, but it does. His ‘Wat Dan Hor’, literally ‘smooth egg rice noodles’, the same rice noodles but pre-fried to give it the essential ‘ wok hei’ (that quintessential Chinese expression for high heat, wok fragrance) was melt-in-mouth smooth, with the same prawn fragrance that comes from the same stock that he uses for his soup base.

Unbeatable Duck’s Breast

Smoked duck breast

I have been so busy raving about the noodles that I am putting the cart before the horse literally. I must go back to the beginning, the starters. Here again forgive me if I wax lyrical. Ah Tuck’s smoked duck breast will beat any ‘Magret de Canard’ (same duck’s breast in French and a very popular dish served in a myriad of ways) hands down. Using fresh duck breast, he marinates and smokes them before putting a slight crust on by grilling. Served on a bed of lettuce still slightly pink, this is one dish I can eat ad infinitum. RM18

Following this was another appetizer with Frogs legs, smoked garlic and onions. The frog was fresh and succulent with the garlic and onions lending flavour to what is usually a bland meat. RM40

This was followed by a ‘fusion’ dish, that of Foie Gras (imported from Hungary), pan fried and served with a brown sauce. I found this an unusual offering from a Chinese restaurant and testimony to Ah Tuck’s creativity. RM35 per portion.

Next came individual portions of braised beef short ribs served on a bed of greens that was divinely tender, every mouthful smothered in a rich creamy sauce.

Piece de Resistance

The piece de resistance of the evening had to be the dessert. Fragrant coconut steamed with a still -quivering egg white custard inside. This suited my palate to a T as I don’t have much of a sweet tooth and the custard was just sweet enough to be a dessert without the usual cloying sugary mouth feel that accompanies most desserts. For RM8.00 per portion, it’s great value considering that just buying one of these coconuts at the supermarket already costs around RM3-4 without the other ingredients and if you consider labour and the time required for steaming (at least 2-3 hours). Another wonderful dessert is their homemade almond cream, a combination of US almonds and apricot kernels. RM12.

Egg white custard

So if you’re into experimenting or have a jaded palate do go to Tuck Kee and experience their ‘laboratory’ and reinvent the gourmet wheel. Speak to Ah Tuck or one of their experienced staff who’ll be more than happy to help you.

The first person we meet upon entering an office is the receptionist or counter clerk. Very often, especially in government departments, we come across a person who is not very helpful. However, the situation in MBI is different. As we enter the building, on the left is a One Stop Counter and on the right side is the Information/Complaints Counter. The staff are pleasant, friendly and helpful. The One Stop Counter handles issues relating to buildings. When a complaint is lodged, the complainant is issued a printout acknowledging receipt of the complaint. The staff also direct the people to the relevant department to lodge their complaints.

I accompanied my friend who had number of complaints regarding his housing area. The clerks in all the departments were friendly and helpful. In one department the clerk even said he was sorry for keeping us waiting since the person authorized to sign the acknowledgment was not in. However proper signage must be put up in the landscaping and engineering departments.

What impressed me most was that the banner listing the services provided is in all four major languages. This is in line with 1Malaysia concept and makes people happy seeing that their language is recognised. This is good PR of MBI.

Jusco Kinta City will be a hive of activities as plans to celebrate International Women’s Day will be held in the lobby from March 8 to 14. An opening ceremony will see a cheerleading display by the Titans, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by State Executive Councillor Dato’ Hamidah Osman, President of Perak Women for Women (PWW) Dr. Sharifah Halima, and President of Soroptimist International Ipoh (SI Ipoh) Jeya Jeyaratnam. The two NGOs, PWW and Si Ipoh, are the organisers of the event. Dato’ Hamidah will then lead the advocacy activity by sticking mock figures of both male and female to signify “equality” and “progress for all”, followed by invited guests who will also add their signatures. This is to signify support for the United Nations theme this year – EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.

The purpose of the week is to focus on eliminating all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls; fostering the respect of human rights and working for social justice in the community; to motivate and to empower women; to advance women’s equality and participation in society by working to bring about social, political and economic change for women; to make new connections and gain inspirational business tips through their winning formula of different networking activities; to bring communities together and build cohesion; and also to celebrate and to mark the successes and achievement of women in the society.

A total of 12 booths from various NGOs such as organizers PWW and SI Ipoh, Rose Virginie Good Shepherd, Buddies, Legal Aid Bureau, Befrienders, KAMI, Pink Champion, as well as health providers, KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital, Fatimah Hospital and the social welfare unit of Ipoh General Hospital, will be on hand from 10am to 10 pm everyday throughout the week offering activities such as: Advocacy for Equal Opportunities by PWW; blood donation; health screening; free legal advice; free nutritional advice for children and mothers; free financial advice; information on where and how to seek help for counselling, temporary shelter etc; information on support group for mental health; information on SI Ipoh’s Home Assistant project; and an art competition for children.

The public especially women are encouraged to explore the week-long event in order to stop violence against women, to stop sexual harassment and enjoy freedom from sexual crimes. They will learn about their rights to obtain help, to an education, to be financially independent, to have a voice, to make decisions and not be suppressed, to recognize their contribution to family and society and to be accepted with equal participation in the work place and in politics. They will also ensure equal access to education and training for women, assure women’s advancement in management, politics and decision making.

Activities will cater to all ages with performances on stage to include Belly dance, 1Malaysia dance by Kumpulan Pesara, Hip hop, jazz/mime, Indian classical dance, dance by the Orang Asli, performance by City Ballet and more. Your attendance and participation is needed. Do put the dates down in your diary.

The annual “Masimaga” religious festival at the Sri Pathirakaliman Temple in Sg. Pinang Besar, Pulau Pangkor, was held at the end of February. The festival, celebrated over a two-day period, saw many devotees carrying “karagam” and “kavadies” from the popular beach at Pasir Bogak to the temple, a distance of 6 km. This is a form of paying penance for a prayer answered.

Works to reclaim some 33,440 sq ft of land from the sea fronting the temple are in progress. The project involves the building of a retaining wall followed by reclaiming works. The cost, according to the Secretary of the temple committee, K.V. Karunanithi, is estimated at RM600,000.

The committee has made an appeal to Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, who is also the State Assemblyman for Pangkor, for funds. Devotees had contributed in kind towards the project, which is expected to complete in July. The reclaimed land will provide additional space for the temple to accommodate a larger crowd.

Ousted MB of Perak, Dato’ Seri Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin, refuted claims by Dato’ Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir that Pakatan Rakyat did not invite BN Aduns to sit on district and village action committees when it was in power.

Nizar said this during a press conference at the PR Headquarters in Ipoh on Tuesday, February 23. “A case in point is Kerian District. We invited BN representatives to attend the district action committee meetings but they did not. The same happened at Larut Matang and Kinta districts. “It’s a lie,” he remarked . “I’ve proofs to substantiate this claim.”
The reluctance on the part of the BN-led state government to allow the Opposition the use of public halls and facilities for ceramahs and social gatherings was puzzling, said Nizar. “We never did such things when we were in power.”
The former MB was responding to Zambry’s and the Deputy Prime Minister’s statements about Pakatan Rakyat not wanting to cooperate in Perak.
After the February 9 Federal Court judgment, Zambry had called on PR to work together for the betterment of the state. Nizar’s condition was that PR Aduns be given similar opportunities like those given to BN state assemblymen. Zambry wanted nothing of that.
The impasse is set to prolong, as neither side is prepared to compromise.

Kelab Anak Malaysia Batu Gajah, Perak together with the Methodist Girls School Girl Guides and Anglo Chinese School Buddhist Club had organised a Chinese New Year Ang Pow presentation at the Salvation Army Children Homes, Jalan Kampar, Ipoh, in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year celebrations recently.

According to Mr. Sit Wai Yin, the club president of Kelab Anak Malaysia Batu Gajah, the project is to bring good cheer to the children at the home. The children were entertained with games, gifts and songs. Guest of Honour, Dato’ Chang Ko Youn, the Perak Menteri Besar Adviser praised the students for being part of a caring society and to continue the good works in the future.